Clinic for Children with ADHD
ADHD Clinic for Children
Some things, such as lack of attention, being forgetful or getting fidgety and hyperactive, can be normal among children. Seeing a significant number of signs and symptoms across all situations when you’re at home, school or at play may suggest ADHD.
The symptoms of ADHD in children and teenagers are traits and not states, i.e. they are generally always present and not episodic.
ADHD can be diagnosed in children from the age of 5 and older and the signs and symptoms are usually noticeable before the age of 12.
Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD may lead to challenges for the child at home and school. These symptoms can cause significant problems in a child’s life, such as underachievement at school, poor social interaction with other children and adults, and problems with discipline.
There are Three Recognised Types of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD in Children:
1) Combination Type – Symptoms of both criteria inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity were present for the past 6 months
2) Inattentive Type – Symptoms of inattention, but not hyperactivity-impulsivity, were present for the past six months. (Previously called ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder).
3) Hyperactive/Impulsive Type – Symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity but not inattention were present for the past six months.
Inattentiveness
The main signs and symptoms of inattentiveness are:
- Having a short attention span and being easily distracted
- Making careless mistakes – for example, in schoolwork
- Appearing forgetful or losing things
- Being unable to stick to tasks that are tedious or time-consuming
- Appearing to be unable to listen to or carry out instructions
- Constantly changing activity or task
- Having difficulty organising tasks
Impulsiveness and Hyperactivity
The main signs and symptoms of impulsiveness and hyperactivity are:
- Being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings
- Constantly fidgeting
- Being unable to concentrate on tasks
- Excessive physical movement
- Excessive talking
- Being unable to wait their turn
- Acting without thinking
- Interrupting conversations
- Having little or no sense of danger
Setting up a Shared Care Agreement with your GP
If you choose to go on medication, once you are on a stable regime, then if you wish, we can set up a Shared Care Agreement with your GP so that they can take over the prescribing of any medication that may be indicated in your treatment plan. We have standard protocol documents for this procedure. This would mean that your prescription would then become an NHS prescription and therefore charged at their standard rate. Please note we cannot guarantee a Shared Care arrangement with your GP. We would encourage you to discuss your plans for a Shared Care Agreement with your GP before you commence on treatment with the ADHD centre, so that they are informed and involved early on.